A tragic start to the New Year unfolded as a vehicle drove into a crowd on the iconic Canal and Bourbon Streets in the early hours of January 1, leaving ten people dead and 30 injured, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.

The New Orleans Police Department confirmed the mass casualty incident, which disrupted the city’s vibrant New Year’s celebrations.

Authorities urged residents and visitors to avoid the area as emergency responders worked to manage the aftermath.

“The injured have been taken to five local hospitals,” NOLA Ready reported. Details about the victims’ identities and the driver involved in the incident were not immediately disclosed.

The incident cast a somber shadow over New Orleans as it prepared to host the highly anticipated AllState Bowl college football quarterfinal at Caesars Superdome, where thousands of fans were expected to gather just hours later.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to determine the cause of the season crash and whether it was an accident or an intentional act. The tragedy has left a deep scar on a city renowned for its resilience, culture, and festive spirit.